Providing smoking cessation interventions in community pharmacies: the perspective od costarican pharmacists

Abstract

The aim of this study was to identify limitations and opportunities for providing brief smoking cessation interventions in Costa Rican community pharmacies.  A total of three focus groups were conducted between November 2014 and June 2015.  Information collected was classified into four main categories: treatment, knowledge and beliefs, patient support, and work-related aspects.  Meetings were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using ATLAS.ti 7.

Pharmacists who participated in the focus groups (n = 22) were concerned with different aspects of pharmacological and non-pharmacological smoking cessation treatment options they can use to address tobacco consumption.  Participants also focused on the need to improve their communication skills and nicotine dependence knowledge, and to have better tools to interact with smokers.

Participants were aware of their important role in providing smoking cessation interventions.  Brief, 3-5-minute, smoking cessation interventions must be presented as an effective strategy for busy community pharmacists.